A couple "local" guys make an appearance on the show this week.

First up, it's Detroiter John 5. 5 has been in Rob Zombie's band for about 15 years or so. We talk about the killer Zombie album and how fast he did his guitar parts. He tells me about the difference in playing his solo gigs vs. Zombie gigs. His solo album drops on October 29th, he talks about that, small big gigs he's seen, his favorite rock documentaries and lots more! Oh, 5 also talked about this video. 

Then, around the 28:30 mark, it's guitarist/singer, Tarek Jafar from The Blue Stones. They're a killer two piece band from Windsor, Ontario. We talk about two piece bands, what success in the states mean to a Canadian band, why they would tour Canada in the winter, and conversation about the latest album, Hidden Gems, among more topics. Really great to talk with Tarek for the first time. 

Thanks for listening!

-Meltdown-

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

After cancelling last year's tour and just doing a live stream T.S.O. are back for another run of your Christmas favorites. 

Guitar virtuoso Joel Hoekstra is up first. We talk about what he's been doing during the pandemic, his various other projects (Whitesnake, Cher, Solo) the Seattle Rock Camp coming up, and lots more. 

Then (around the 19 minute mark), it's drummer Jeff Plate. He tells me about his time during the pandemic, his other band, Alta Reign, and the famous T.S.O. rehearsals. He also answers the question of what he thinks founder Paul O'Neill would've been doing during the lockdown, and his thoughts on some of the rockers we've lost recently, including Metal Church vocalist, Mike Howe. 

Enjoy!

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https://www.trans-siberian.com/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Vinnie is one of the most talented guys I know...period. He's in so many bands, and none are alike. 

Today, we talk about his bands, but mostly about his newest band called The Lucid with bassist David Ellefson (Megadeth), guitarist Drew Fortier, and drummer Mike Heller (Fear Factory). He tells me how he joined the band, working through the pandemic, writing the lyrics for the songs and tons more!

Enjoy!

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https://thelucidofficial.bandcamp.com/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Another two for one podcast today, with a metal legend, and a classic rock guitar hero!

Up first it's Randy Blythe. Lamb Of God is currently out on tour and he took some time to call in from the road. I'd never interviewed Randy before, but I found him to be great to talk to. We discussed what it was like to get back on stage and playing a couple live stream events. Plus, the 15th anniversary of Sacrament. What is success for him? I asked him that, as well as how it felt to be 50, what makes him nervous and a little about his photography.

Then (around the 20 minute mark) it's guitarist Frank Hannon from Tesla. I've talked to Frank before and he's always a fun conversation. We talked about his battle with Covid, the latest single "Cold Blue Steel" and what that song's about. As well as if he read his bandmates, Brain Wheat's book, Eddie Van Halen and lots more. 

Thank for listening! Follow me on the socials at MeltdownWRIF.

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https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

This is the second time I've had the pleasure of talking with Tim this year. And just like the first, you can watch it here. 

This time around, we talk about his guitar collection, weird bills he's played on, new Rise Against music, touring during a pandemic, the best and worst parts of his 'job' and tons more. 

Enjoy!

-Meltdown-

https://www.riseagainst.com/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Always great to reconnect with John. His new single is out, Cosi Bella (So Beautiful), of course we discuss that, the writing process, cover artwork and how his influences played into it. He tells me his plan moving forward in regards to dropping new music and finally an album. With the 30th anniversary of the Metallica Black album, I asked him his thoughts about working with producer Bob Rock, whom he worked with on the Motley Crue album. 

Thant's just for starters....enjoy!

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https://www.johncorabi.com/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Another big interview on Talkin' Rock. Nicko McBrain was nice enough to Zoom in and tell be about the new album, Senjetsu, which drops on September 5th. Nicko is a really nice guy and told me about how the album has been finished for two years, some of the writing process, mostly with Steve Harris, and more. He talked about the recent passing of Charlie Watts and Joey Jordison as well.....

Then, it's Molly Rennick of the band Living Dead Girl. They dropped their debut album a couple moths back. Why name the band Living Dead Girl? She explains. She talks about her influences, growing up in Canada, making the move to the Sates, her parental support and LOTS more.

Thanks for listening!

-Meltdown-

https://www.ironmaiden.com/

https://www.mollyrennick.com/living-dead-girl

https://www.livingdeadgirl.ca/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Judas Priest has this unbelievable box-set dropping on October 15th, and Scott Travis was nice enough to call in to plug that, and much more. We talked about getting back on stage and how much of a workout he preforms behind the kit. He tells me about the band he played in just before joining the Priest, his thoughts on the passing of Joey Jordison, an update on new music and Glenn Tipton. He also  commented on something funny former Priest singer "Ripper" Owens sent me and tons more. 

Kevin Martin of Candlebox was nice enough to do a zoom call with me last week, which is the second part of today's podcast. You can watch the interview on the link below. We discuss the upcoming album, some history of the band including meeting their record label head, Madonna, for the first time. He talk about his guitar collection, the grunge scene and were they fit in, and more. 

Enjoy!

-Meltdown-

 https://www.judaspriest.com/

https://www.candleboxrocks.com/

https://wrif.com/2021/08/20/wrif-virtual-rock-room-with-candlebox/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Ice Nine Kills is a killer, horror based band from the Northeast of America. Go down a rabbit hole with these guys! I love them.

Today, singer/songwriter Spencer Charnas joins me to talk about the upcoming album (which drops mid-October) their most recent releases - one of which they had to get permission from Huey Lewis. We talk about horror movies, their Inked in Blood graphic novel, his upcoming appearance at Astronomicon and TONS more. Really fun conversation.

Enjoy!

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https://iceninekills.com/

https://www.astronomicon.com/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Matt Heafy of Trivium is my guest on Talkin' Rock. We cover a lot of bases in this conversation including the new album, working during a pandemic, rockers we've lost, album cover art, meat cooking tips from pro wrestlers and more.... 

Enjoy!

-Meltdown-

https://www.trivium.org/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/